For years, online subscription services for video games have been the topic of much discussion within the gaming circles. While certain features of online services for PlayStation and Xbox consoles have been locked behind a paywall for quite some time now, Nintendo only recently followed suit with Nintendo Switch Online back in 2018, which introduced the company's first paid online service. Now, it is much of an industry standard to require a membership to play many non-free-to-play games online with others.
While some incentives to subscribe to online services have included features like video and music streaming, it seems the one that tends to draw fans in the most these days is the monthly free games included with PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold's Games with Gold. Free games can range from smaller, indie titles to blockbuster AAA titles that are only about a year old. However, Nintendo is one company that hasn't included any such offer with NSO, but there may be a few reasons why.
NES and SNES Library
Likely the biggest reason for not giving away larger monthly titles is due to the library of classic NES and SNES games that Nintendo makes available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Now amassing over 90 games in total, NSO members can create save states, rewind their play to compensate for mistakes, and even play couch co-op in classic games from the 80's and 90's. Some games in the Nintendo Switch Online classic library even allow members to play with each other online, such as the original Mario Bros., Yoshi, and even the fan-favorite Super Mario Bros. 3.
While Nintendo doesn't seem to keep a regular or monthly schedule when it comes to releasing new NES and SNES games for NSO members, it's worth noting that the library of games is always growing. Services like PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold tend to make its free games available for download only during a certain month, while Nintendo Switch Online members always have access to every game added to the library of classic games. This is likely due to the decreased value of older games in a digital format, which may also play into the lower $20/year price point of the online service.
Tetris 99, Pac-Man 99, and More
Back in February of 2019, Nintendo Switch Online members were given free access to Tetris 99, a battle royale-styled version of the age-old puzzle game. Ever since release, the game, developed by Arika, has received updates and events to keep players coming back, as well as additional paid DLC containing new game modes. As a part of Super Mario Bros.'s 35th anniversary celebrations, Nintendo and Arika brought fans a similar battle royale-styled version of the classic NES game, with Super Mario Bros. 35, where 35 players competed to remain the last Mario standing.
Of course, Super Mario Bros. 35 is no longer available for download or play now that Nintendo has ceased celebrations for the plumber's 35th birthday, but developer Arika snapped right back shortly after, bringing NSO members Pac-Man 99. Like the games before it, Pac-Man 99 is the classic arcade game with a multiplayer battle royale spin. While these games aren't on the same level as free PS Plus games like Control or Final Fantasy 7 Remake, they are neat additions to Nintendo Switch Online, at least adding a bit more value to the more budget-friendly subscription service.
Game Trials
Another reason Nintendo's subscription service may not give away free monthly games could be due to its Game Trials feature. These limited-time trials allow NSO subscribers to download and play a certain full game for about a week. Often, such games made available for Game Trials will also go on sale in an attempt to draw in new fans. However, much like the release of NES and SNES titles, the release of Game Trials seems fairly irregular and vary from region-to-region. Past Game Trial games have included Dead Cells, Pokken Tournament DX, Overwatch, and Mario Tennis Aces.
Again, it seems that given the lower overall cost of a Nintendo Switch Online membership, Nintendo tends to focus on smaller incentives to draw in its subscribers. The Japanese video game company is also somewhat notorious for keeping many of its first-party titles at their original price points for as long as possible, so the company may not want to devalue its exclusive games by making them entirely free. Of course, with rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro circulating, many fans hope for a premium version of NSO to release at some point, with more classic titles, free games, and more.
Nintendo Switch Online is available now on Switch.